Bella Roma Day 3

Day 3 was Thursday. We got up and out about 9AM and walked over to the Vatican Museum to see the Sistine Chapel. This was the only BIG thing we didn't get to on our first trip so it was the most important thing on our list this time. The line was pretty short and we were inside with tickets within about 5 minute of arriving. We shamelessly walked through the museum quickly to make it to the Sistine Chapel because we saw hordes of people arriving as we got in the door. We figured if we lingered to long it would be unpleasant inside. Which it was kinda anyway, but oh well. I had always read that getting to the Sistine Chapel took a long time because it was a far walk, and it was...but we did see some beautiful things on the way and did stop walking from time to time when something caught our eye.

We finally made it to the chapel and I was immediately surprised by how tall it was. The room itself is pretty small, but the work in the chapel is amazing. We stayed a bit staring up at the ceiling and left, and left the museum as well.

Bad Picture of the Sistine Chapel

We also wanted to revisit the inside of St. Peters Cathedral so that was next on our list. It was still as gorgeous, huge and as ornate as I remember it. My absolute favorite sculpture I have ever laid eyes on has a home inside the Cathedral. It is Michaelangelo's "Pieta" which is Jesus laying in Mary's lap after the Crucifixion. I couldn't begin to explain how incredible the inside of this cathedral is. There are so many little interesting things here that are so easy to miss.

The Pieta

St. Peters Cathedral

The story goes, that if you rub St. Peters foot you are absolved of all your sins.
So, now, I'm sin free! ;)

We weren't really sure where we wanted to go next, so we choose Piazza del Popolo. This was another spot we actually tried to see on our last visit but took a wrong turn and ended up way far so scratched it. When we got there, it was so much bigger then I imagined, we sat and rested our legs for a bit before heading back to Myra's to get ready for the party she was throwing.

Piazza del Popolo

Michael Reading the Map

Myra had invited a lot of her colluges over along with two of her friends visiting Rome from Greece. She works with a lot of really nice people that were an array of characters that were interesting to chat with. There was lots of yummy food and prosecco . After all of her colluges and friends from Greece left, the only people still here were the three of us, 4 interns and 1 friend that was visiting one of the interns. We all sat around and talked, drank and ate and had a great time. They didn't leave till about midnight! We had a blast. It was a good thing our train to Florence didn't leave the next morning until 12:30!

Myra being a great host.

Myra dancing with Sergio

This guy, was hilarious. He was the happiest and most smiley person I've ever met.
Sergio

The four interns who were so incredibly nice.
Roberto, Sergio, Myra, Dominica (who is from NYC) and Alessandro

The "M's" Michael, Myra and Michael

Bella Roma Day 2

Wednesday morning came fast, especially since we didn't go to bed till quite late. Myra left early for a day trip for work and Michael and I slept in. When we got up, we headed straight out the door after of course changing to go across the street to a little cafe called, "Friends Cafe" where we got some coffee and croissants. It was good and fast so we could come back and take showers and pack up for the day and get on our way.

We started our "sightseeing" by walking from Myra's place to the Spanish steps which is about a 10-15 minute walk. When we got there we sat on the steps for a while watching the world go by.

Spanish Steps

After the Spanish Steps we walked around alot and found lunch at a cute little cafe. We ate outside under heated lamps, but the wind started to blow and it got quite cold. When we left we had the intention to go to the Pantheon, but since we just went the "general direction" and weren't really looking at a map to get there, we ended up by the river close to Vatican City, so went there instead. When we got there I had to use the restroom and Michael was convinced he remembered there being a restroom hidden on a wall on close to the entrance I wasn't so sure about this, but as we started walking underneath the columns it all came back to me and I knew he was right and there it was, a hidden and empty restroom! We sat on the steps in the square for a long time. The sun was out and I was in heaven. It was so warm I even rolled up my sleeves and helped my body make lots of vitamin D!

Michael Crossing Over the Bridge

Tiber River

St. Peters Square and Cathedral

I LOVE this picture.
Michael and the two nuns.

I'm in green, sunbathing

We decided we would try to go to the Pantheon again, so after reading a map we were on our way and this time made it there. It was about a 45 minute walk or so, but as Myra will attest to, we can out walk anybody in fact in Paris in 2002, she gave Michel the nickname "Walking Nazi'. The Pantheon was just as huge as I remember. It is such an amazing building and to think that the building that is there now has been standing there since 125AD blows my mind.

Pantheon
Can you find Michael? He is hard to miss ;)

It was starting to get later and later and we needed to meet Myra back at the apartment at 7:00. We knew we had a long trek back home so we got some Gelato for the road and headed back. Our plan was to go to the Spanish Steps and then from there back to Myra's house, until we saw signs for the Trevi Fountain (which is relatively close to the Spanish Steps) so, made a detour to go there instead. We spent a few days on our first trip sitting by the fountain eating lunch. When we were here in 2002 the fountain area seemed so empty, there were usually only about 20 other people there with us. It was the end of February on that trip also, so I don't know why this time, there were so many more people. We didn't sit on the steps in front of the fountain but on the wall to the side of it. I found a little corner that I fit in perfectly and Michael stood and researched the map to find the best way home. This time, we made it all the way home with no stops. We were gone from 11:00am til 6:00pm. It was a lovely day of walking around the incredible city, taking it all in and enjoying ourselves.

Coffee Flavored Gelato

Trevi Fountain

This is look like when I walk for 6 hours. Tired!

In the evening the three of us went to the grocery store to stock up on food for the party that was happening the next night at Myra's place. We loaded our backpacks down with 12 bottle of Procceco and tons of food. We also got some pasta, bread, and pesto for dinner along with a jar of instant coffee so we didn't have to run out the door so fast the next morning, breakfast for the morning and a toothbrush for me because mine is sitting in our cabinet in the bathroom in Lyngby. oops. We ate our food, drank some wine from Macedonia and had a lovely evening.

Cooking Ravioli stuffed with Ricotta and Spinach